Fire-escape



8 (No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 1.

W. E. ANDERSON. FIRE ESCAPE.

No. 603,781. Patented Ma, 10,1898.

(No Model.)

3 Sheets-Sheet 2. W. E. ANDERSON.

FIRE ESCAPE.

(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 3.-

W. E. ANDERSON.

FIRE ESCAPE 8 9 W M m l YW m m m b" n t V a V P IIMIMIIIIMI -llllllll llllllllllIlllllllllIIIIH' [III-"III" UNiTED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

\VILLIAME. ANDERSON, OF FREWSBURG, NEW YORK.

FIRE-ESCAPE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 603,781, dated May 10,1898.

Application filed June 17, 1897. Serial No. 641,200. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known thatI, WILLIAM E. ANDERSON, of Frewsburg, in the county ofChautauqua and State of New York, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Fire Escapes; and I do hereby declare the following tobe a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as willenable others skilled in the art to which it' appertains to make and usethe same.

This invention relates to fire-escapes and is of the type embodyingreels, the same being adapted to enable a person to lower himself from aburning building to the ground at any desired speed.

The object of the present invention is to provide a simple and reliablefire-escape of the nature referred to in which an automatic brake isemployed and in which the brake action may be increased or diminishedand set at any desired point, so that persons of different weights mayreadily adjust the brake mechanism to suit themselves, the force of thebrake being determined by an indicating device arranged within plainsight of the operator.

The invention also contemplates the use, in connection with the loweringdevice, of an improved bracket or support which is exten sible andcapable of being projected out of and beyond a window, so as to enablethe person descending to avoid coming in contact with the walls of thebuilding or projections thereon.

The detailed objects and advantages of the invention will be pointed outin the course of the ensuing description.

The invention consists in an improved fireescape embodying certain novelfeatures and details of construction and arrangement of parts, ashereinafter fully described, illustrated in the drawings, andincorporated in the claims hereto appended.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view taken fromthe interior of a room and showing a window with the improvediire-escape apparatus arranged contiguous thereto, the apparatus beingthrown out of position for use. Fig. 2 is a similar view showing theapparatus adjusted to its operative position. Fig. 3 is an enlarged sideelevation of the bracket or support, the same being partlyin section.Fig. 4 is an edge view of the reel and its mechanism with the casingomitted. Fig. 5 is a longitudinal section through the reel, taken on theline x a; and showing the brake mechanism. Fig. 6 is a similar sectiontaken on the line y y. .Fig. 7 is a detail cross-section showing thesliding stop or gage for limiting the movement of the brake mechanism;Fig. 8 is an edge view of the reel, taken from the opposite side fromFig. 4.

Similar numerals of reference designate correspondingparts in theseveral views.

Referring to the drawings, 1 designates the frame of the reel, which ispreferably com posed of the two skeleton side portions 2, connected by asheet-metal casing 3, secured to the edges of the sides 2 and inclosingthe operative parts of the reel and brake mechanism. The side frames 2are further connected and braced by means of cross-bars 4, the ends ofwhich are reduced and fitted in recesses in the sides and held thereinby means of screws, bolts, or other fasteners. At its inner side thecasing is provided with a plurality of ears orlugs 5, having openings toreceive fasteners, by means of which the casing may be attached to thewall within a room and adjacent to any window.

The reel-shaft 6 is journaled in bearings in the frames 2 and hasmounted fast thereon a pair of wheels 7 and 8, the wheel 7 beingarranged at or near one side of the casing and constituting afriction-wheel upon which the brake acts for retarding the motion ofsaid wheel. Extending around and wound upon the shaft 6 is the hoistingand lowering rope or cable 9, said rope or cable passing upward througha curved arm or bar 10, bolted or otherwise secured to adjacentcross-bars 4and provided with an opening 11, in which are arranged twogrooved pulleys 12, between which the rope or cable 9 passes, saidpulleys serving to prevent the too-rapid wearing of the rope or cable.

Located above the friction -wheel 7 is a brake-shoe 13, comprising twoindependen tlymovable sections 14, each formed in the arc of a circlecorresponding to the periphery of the friction-wheel, said sectionsbeing provided at their adjacent ends with offsets or cars 15, throughwhich passes a bolt 16,

around which is disposed a coiled spring 17, interposed between the carsand serving to press the same apart. One of the sections 14 is pivotallyconnected to one of the side frames 2 at its extremity 17, while the endof the other section 14 has pivotally connected thereto a bar or link18, which extends downward and connects to a pivoted arm 19, fulcrumedat on the frame and provided with alongitudinal series of openings 21,providing for the adjustment of the pivotal connection between the link18 and arm 19 for correspondingly varying the force with which thebrakeshoes may be applied to the friction-wheel 7. Arranged under thearm 19 is a lever 22, which is fulcrumed at 23 intermediate its ends.One end of the lever 22 is connected to the free end of the arm 19 bymeans of an intel-posed pivotal link 24. Connected to the opposite endof the lever 22 is a pivoted yoke 25, carrying a grooved pulley 26,around which the hoisting and lowering rope or cable passes. As the ropeor cable 9 is drawn upon, the effect is to raise the yoke 25 and thecorresponding end of the lever 22, thereby depressing the opposite endof the lever 22 and moving the free end of the pivoted arm 19 downward,thus drawing downward on the loop 18 and forcing the brake-shoe sectionsinto contact with the fiy-wheel 7. When this weight is, relieved, thepivoted arm 19 is lifted by means of a leafspring 27, secured at one endof the frame of the reel and bearing at its free end beneath saidpivoted arm, and by the return movement of said arm the brake-shoe isthrown out of engagement with the fly-wheel 7. It will thus be seen thatthe brake is automatic and is thrown into action by reason of the weightof a person being placed upon the rope or cable.

The movement of the lever 22, and consequently the force of theapplication of the brake-shoe, is regulated and limited by means of asliding stop or gage 28. This gage is stepped, as indicated at 29, orprovided with rests disposed at dilferent elevations, and the gage isslidingly mounted to slide transversely of the reel-frame, so that anyone of said rests or steps may be moved into the path of the lever 22.The base of the gage 28 is longitudinally slotted, as indicated at 30,and bolts or other suitable fasteners pass through said slots and alsothrough the adjacent cross-bar 4 of the frame, so as to hold the gage inplace, while permitting the same to slide transversely of the frame..The gageis reciprocated by means of a lever 31, which is pivotallyconnected to the frame at one end, as shown at 32, and which isconnected with the sliding gage by means of a link or rod 33, whichconnects pivotally with the lever 31 at a point intermediate theends ofthe latter and which connects pivotally at its opposite end with an ear34 on the sliding gage. The lever 31 at its swinging end is pointed toform an indicator 35, and this indicator moves in front of a graduatedarc 36, secured to the outside of the casing in plain view of theoperator. This are has represented upon its exposed side numeralsrepresenting different weights, as shown at 37, thus enabling a personbefore descending from a burning building to adjust the indicator 35 toa point opposite the numerals representing his weight. This moves thecorresponding step or rest 29 into the path of the lever 22, thuslimiting the application of the brake-shoe to the flywheel 7. In thismanner the lowering mechanism and the brake may be regulated to a childweighing fifty pounds or to a heavy person weighing two hundred andfifty pounds or more, and the brake will automatically apply its forceto the fly-wheel 7 in proportion to the weight of the person descending.

Fast on the shaft 6 isa spur-pinion 38, which meshes with a spurgear-wheel 39, journaled on a stud or counter-shaft 40, connected to themachine-frame. The wheel 39 has connected rigidly thereto a spur-pinion41, which in turn meshes with a large spur gear-wheel 42, mountedloosely on the shaft 6. The wheel 42 is provided at one side with alaterally-projecting pin or stud 43, and engaging said stud is the outerhooked free end of a helical spring 44, which is coiled around the shaft6 and has its inner end secured to a stationary hub 45, fast upon theinner side of the frame. Thus as the rope or cable 9 is drawn off thereel the spring 44 is wound up, and after the person descending hasreached the ground by releasing the rope or cable the spring 44 acts towind the reel and wrap the rope or cable thereon, thus placing themechanism in condition to admit of the descent of a second person, andso on. 46 designates a roller around which the rope or cable 9 passesfor preventing too great friction thereon and for bringing the action ofthe rope in proper direction relatively to the lever 22. By means of thegearing above described the wheel 42, which winds up the spring 44,rotates at a very low rate of speed compared with the reel, thusenabling a comparatively small spring to be employed.

Arranged over the reel 1 and secured for convenience to the casing ofthe windowframe is a swinging bracket or support 47. This bracketcomprises a stationary portion 48, which is for convenience formed of astrip or bar of metal having openings to receive fasteners 49, by meansof which it is secured in place, and provided at its top and bottom withprojecting ears 50, to which the swing- IIO ing portions of the bracketare pivotally conends of the arms 52 are loosely mounted upon avertically-revoluble shaft or roller 55, which is carried in the outerends of a pair of swinging horizontal links or arms 56, pivotallyconnected at their inner ends to the ears and 51 above referred to. Theupper link or arm 56 extends obliquely and forms a brace for moreeifectively supporting the outer swinging portion of the bracket.Secured to the strap or bar 48 is a grooved pulley 57, which, beingarranged near the window casing, guides the rope or cable 9 around theedge of the window-casing and prevents the rope from rubbing against thesame and becoming worn.

The cable or rope 9 extends from the reel-casing 1 upward around thepulley 57 and thence on one side of the roller and over the pulley 54:.The cord or cable 9 has attached to its outer end a flexible belt 58,provided with a buckle 59 at one end for enabling the same to befastened around a persons waist preparatory to making a descent. Theswinging bracket may be further supported by means of a rope or cable60, running over suitable pulleys 61, secured to the window-casing, andconnected to a ring 62, having auxiliary ropes or cables 63, connectingthe same to the lower sash of the window, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, therope 60 being secured at its other end to the upper arm or. bar 52 ofthe swinging bracket in the manner illustrated; By virtue of thisarrangement the lower sash is antomatically raised whenever the bracketis swung away from the wall around toward the window, thereby expeditingthe adjustment of the apparatus in use and reducing the number ofmanipulations for effecting such adjustment.

By means of the construction above described it will be seen that theswinging bracket is located wholly within a room and above the reel.lVhen it is desired to use the fire-escape, the swinging bracket maybereadily moved so as to be projected out of the window, the hoisting orlowering rope or cable 9 being at the same time carried outward by thebracket. The operator may now adjust the indicator 35 to the desiredpoint for regulatin g the brake mechanism to his own weight, and afterfastening the belt 58 securely around his waist he may climb out of thewindow, grasping the swinging bracket or support. When his weight comesupon the rope or cable 9, he will immediately begin todescend, and thebrake mechanism above described will check the reel-shaft and preventhis too rapid descent, thus making the fireescape reliable and safe inoperation.

An independent fire-escape constructed in accordance with this inventionmay be applied in each and every room in a hotel or dwelling, and willnot detract from the external appearance of the building, as it isnormally located wholly within the window.

The exact form of the supporting-bracket above described need not beadhered to, and the reel and brake mechanisms are also susceptible ofvarious changes in the form, proportion, and minor details ofconstruction, which may accordingly be resorted to without departingfrom the principle or sacrificing any of the advantages of theinvention.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed asnew, and desiredto be secured by Letters Patent, is

1. In a fire-escape, the combination of the lowering rope or cable and areel therefor located to the inside of the window, a swinging bracketmounted to the inside of the window and swinging on a vertical axis,said bracket being provided with a vertically-arranged hinge-joint andadapted to fold upon itself, whereby the bracket may be swung around thewindow-casing so as to project outwardly beyond the same, a guidemounted on the end of said bracket and over which said rope or cable ispassed, and a verticallyarranged antifriction-roller having its axiscoincident with the axis of said hinge-joint of the bracket,substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. In a fire-escape, the combination of the lowering rope or cable, aswinging bracket provided with a guide over which said rope or cable ispassed, said bracket being mounted upon a stationary support to theinside of the window and normally swung inwardly out of the way, aflexible connection attached by its respective ends to the lowerwindow-sash and to the swinging bracket and one or more guides overwhich said connection passes between its points of attachment, wherebythe said flexible connection serves as astay for 1 gaging with andactuated by said loweringrope, and a springwfor returning said parts totheir normal positions after the brake-shoe has been applied,substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

4. In a fire-escape, the combination of the lowering rope or cable and areel therefor, a brake-shoe for said reel, a pivoted arm and a pivotallink connecting said arm and shoe, the said arm and link being adjustably connected with each other to vary the leverage, a leverconnected with said pivotal arm and engaging with and actuated by saidloweringrope, and a spring for returning said parts to their normalpositions after the brake-shoe has been applied, substantially as andfor the purpose set forth. 7

5. The combination of a wheel and a sectional brake-shoe provided withare shaped sections loosely attached to each other by a link and havingan interposed spring, an opcrating-bar for the brake-shoe andaloweringrope engaging with and actuating said bar, one of saidbrake-shoe sections being pivoted to a stationary point and the otherbeing pivoted to the operating-bar,substantially as and for the purposeset forth.

6. In a fire-escape, the combination of the lowering rope or cable and areel therefor, a brake-shoe comprising independent sections yieldinglyconnected together, a brake-lever engaging with and actuated by saidrope and connections between said lever and one of the brake-shoesections, the other of said brakeshoe sections being pivotally mountedon a stationary point, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.v

7. In a fire-escape, the combination of a lowering rope or cable and areel therefor, a brake-shoe for the reel actuated by the tension of thelowering-rope, a lever engaging with and actuated by said lowering-ropeand connections between said lever and brakeshoe, and adjustable meansfor regulating the range of movement of the lever to regulate the powerwith which the brake-shoe is applied in accordance with the tension onthe rope.

8. In a fire-escape, the combination of a lowering rope or cable and areel therefor, a brake-shoe, a brake-lever actuated by said rope orcable, and connections between said brake shoe and lever, and a slidinggage having stepped rests adapted to be engaged by said brake-lever forvarying the stroke of said lever and operating means for said gage,substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

9. In a fire-escape, the combination of a lowering rope or cable and areel therefor, a brake-shoe for the reel actuated by the tension of thelowering-rope, a lever engaging with and actuated by said lowering-ropeand connections between said lever and brake-shoe, adjustable means forregulating the range of movement of the lever to regulate the power withwhich the brake-shoe is applied in accord ance with the tension on therope, and a visual indicator connected with and controlling the movementof said adjustable means and provided with a scale of weights, wherebythe dicated weight, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

10. In a fire-escape, the combination of window provided with a movablesash, a swinging fire-escape normally lying within the window andadapted to be swung out through the opening of the windowyandconnections between said window-sash and fireescape, whereby uponswinging the latter around to adjust it out of the window, the sash isautomatically opened, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

11. In a fire-escape, the combination of a window provided with amovable sash, a fireescape provided with a lowering-rope and having aswinging bracket carrying said rope, and connections between said sashand swinging bracket, whereby upon swinging the bracket out of thewindow to adjust the rope for lowering, said sash is automaticallyopened, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

I 12. In a fire escape, the combination of a lowering rope or cable anda reel therefor, a fast pinion 38 and loose gear 42 mounted upon theshaft of the reel, idle-gears 39 and 41 connecting said fast pinion andloose gear,whereby the rotation of the one actuates the other, and aspring ll for rotating the reel backwardly to wind up the rope, saidspring being connected with said shaft and loose gear respectively andwound by said loose gear, substantially as andfor the purpose set forth.

13. In a fire-escape, the combination of a window provided with amovable sash, an adjustable fire-escape and connections between the sameand said window-sash,whereby upon adjusting the fire-escape for use thesash is automatically opened by the adjusting movement, substantially asand for the purpose set forth. v

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presence oftwo subscribing witnesses.

WILLIAM E. ANDERSON.

Witnesses:

PETER LINDHOLM, JOHN VENMAN.

